L&C vs Habito vs RemortgageSaver

Overview of Each Broker Service

All three brokers operate in the UK remortgage market but have different histories, business models and approaches to helping customers.

London and Country Mortgages (L&C) is one of the UK's longest-established and largest fee-free mortgage brokers. Founded in 1987 and based in Bath, L&C has decades of experience and a well-established reputation in the industry. They are a telephone and online-based broker, offering advice via phone consultations supported by digital tools. L&C are whole-of-market and are authorised and regulated by the FCA.

Habito is a digital-first mortgage broker that launched in 2016 with a mission to make mortgages simpler and more transparent through technology. Habito offers an online platform where you can input your details and receive mortgage recommendations. They provide both a free comparison service and a premium paid service called Habito Plus for a more managed experience. Habito are whole-of-market and FCA-regulated.

RemortgageSaver is a specialist remortgage comparison and guidance service focused specifically on helping UK homeowners find better remortgage deals. The service is designed to simplify the remortgage process by providing clear, jargon-free guidance and connecting homeowners with suitable deals and advisers. RemortgageSaver focuses on education and empowerment, helping borrowers understand their options before they commit.

Each service has carved out a distinct position in the market. L&C brings decades of experience and a traditional advisory approach. Habito brings technology innovation and a modern user experience. RemortgageSaver brings specialist remortgage focus and educational content to help homeowners make informed decisions.

Comparing the Customer Experience

The customer experience differs significantly between the three services, and your preference will likely depend on how you like to interact with financial service providers.

L&C customer experience:

• Initial contact is typically by phone, where you speak with a qualified mortgage adviser
• The adviser discusses your circumstances, searches the market, and calls back with recommendations
• Ongoing communication is primarily by phone and email
• The process is guided by an experienced human adviser throughout
• L&C has a large team of advisers, so you benefit from collective expertise
• The experience feels traditional and thorough, suited to borrowers who value human interaction and phone-based advice

Habito customer experience:

• The process starts online with a digital questionnaire about your circumstances
• Technology analyses your situation and presents matching mortgage options
• You can browse recommendations and compare deals through the online platform
• Human advisers are available for questions and to provide formal advice
• The platform provides a modern, app-like experience with real-time updates
• Habito Plus offers a more hands-on, managed service for those who want additional support
• The experience is designed for digitally comfortable borrowers who want to see options before speaking to anyone

RemortgageSaver customer experience:

• The service focuses on educating homeowners about remortgage options through detailed guides and comparison content
• Homeowners can explore different remortgage scenarios and understand what affects their options
• The service connects users with suitable advisers and deals based on their circumstances
• The emphasis is on empowering borrowers to make informed decisions rather than simply presenting products
• The experience is designed for homeowners who want to understand the remortgage landscape before engaging with a broker

Each approach has merit, and the best choice depends on whether you prefer to start with a phone call, an online form, or educational research before making any commitments.

Fees, Costs and Value for Money

Understanding the fee structures of each service is important, though fees should always be considered in the context of the overall value provided.

L&C fees:

• L&C operates as a fee-free broker, meaning they do not charge customers for their advice or service
• They are paid by commission (procuration fees) from lenders when a mortgage completes
• This fee-free model has been a core part of their proposition for many years
• The commission structure means their service is effectively free to the customer regardless of the complexity of the case

Habito fees:

• Habito's standard comparison and advice service is free to use
• They earn commission from lenders on completed mortgages, similar to L&C
• Habito Plus, their premium service, charges a fee for a more managed, hands-on experience that includes additional support with the legal process and property valuation
• The tiered pricing model gives customers the choice between a free service and a paid premium option

RemortgageSaver fees:

• RemortgageSaver provides free educational content, guides and comparison information to all visitors
• The service aims to help homeowners understand their options and make better-informed remortgage decisions at no cost
• By empowering homeowners with knowledge, RemortgageSaver helps users get more value from whichever broker or lender they ultimately choose

All three services offer free options, which means cost should not be the deciding factor for most borrowers. The more important consideration is which service best matches your needs in terms of advice quality, convenience, product access, and the level of support you require throughout the remortgage process.

Strengths and Ideal Customers for Each

Each broker has distinct strengths that make them better suited to certain types of borrowers. Here is an honest assessment of where each service excels.

L&C strengths:

• Experience and track record - With decades in the market, L&C has deep institutional knowledge and has helped hundreds of thousands of borrowers. This experience is particularly valuable for complex cases.
• Human-led advice - If you value speaking to an experienced person who can discuss your situation in depth, L&C's phone-based advisory model is well-suited to this.
• Complex cases - L&C's experienced advisers are well-equipped to handle non-standard situations including self-employment, adverse credit, and unusual property types.
• Reputation - L&C has a long-standing reputation and is frequently recommended in the financial press. This credibility provides reassurance for borrowers making major financial decisions.

Habito strengths:

• Technology-driven platform - Habito's digital platform provides a modern, intuitive experience that allows you to see your options before speaking to anyone. This transparency appeals to borrowers who want to research independently first.
• Speed and convenience - The online process can be started at any time, and the technology can quickly narrow down suitable products from a large panel of lenders.
• Younger and digital-first borrowers - Habito's platform and brand appeal particularly to tech-savvy borrowers who prefer digital interaction over phone calls.
• Habito Plus - For borrowers who want a more premium, managed experience, Habito Plus offers additional services that go beyond standard broker advice.

RemortgageSaver strengths:

• Education-first approach - RemortgageSaver excels at helping homeowners understand the remortgage process, their options, and the factors that affect their deals. This knowledge empowers better decision-making.
• Remortgage specialist focus - While other brokers handle all types of mortgages, RemortgageSaver concentrates specifically on remortgages, providing deeper, more focused guidance on this particular area.
• Impartial guidance - The service helps homeowners understand what a good deal looks like for their circumstances, so they can evaluate advice from any broker more effectively.
• Accessible content - Clear, jargon-free guides make the remortgage process understandable for first-time remortgagers and experienced homeowners alike.

No single broker is the best choice for every borrower. The right service depends on your individual preferences, circumstances and how you like to make financial decisions.

How to Decide Which Service to Use

To choose between L&C, Habito and RemortgageSaver, consider the following factors and how they align with your preferences.

Consider L&C if:

• You prefer speaking to an experienced adviser by phone and value human interaction
• Your remortgage situation is complex and you want the reassurance of working with a long-established firm
• You want a completely fee-free service with no upselling to premium tiers
• You value the track record and reputation that comes with decades in the market
• You are comfortable with a more traditional advisory process

Consider Habito if:

• You prefer a digital-first experience and want to see your options before speaking to anyone
• You value technology, speed and a modern user interface
• You want the option of a premium managed service for an additional fee
• You are a younger or more tech-savvy borrower who prefers online interaction
• You want to start the process at a time that suits you, without scheduling a phone appointment

Consider RemortgageSaver if:

• You want to thoroughly understand the remortgage market and your options before committing to a broker
• You are new to remortgaging and want clear, educational guidance to build your confidence
• You prefer a specialist remortgage-focused service rather than a generalist mortgage broker
• You want to arm yourself with knowledge so you can ask better questions and evaluate broker recommendations
• You appreciate independent, impartial information that helps you make your own informed decision

Many homeowners find it beneficial to use a combination approach. You might start with RemortgageSaver to understand the market and your options, then approach L&C or Habito for formal advice and product sourcing. There is no rule that says you must use only one service, and comparing recommendations from multiple sources can give you greater confidence that you are getting the best deal available.

Key Questions to Ask Any Broker Before Committing

Regardless of which broker you choose, there are some important questions you should ask before committing to their services. These apply equally whether you are speaking to L&C, Habito, RemortgageSaver, or any other FCA-regulated broker.

Essential questions:

• Are you whole-of-market? This ensures the broker can compare products from across the entire lending market, not just a limited panel. All three services featured in this guide offer whole-of-market access.
• What are your fees? Understand exactly what you will pay, when payment is due, and whether fees are refundable if the mortgage does not complete. Transparency about fees is a regulatory requirement.
• How are you paid by lenders? Ask whether commission varies between lenders and whether this could influence their recommendations. Good brokers will disclose this information willingly.
• What is your experience with my type of remortgage? If you have specific circumstances such as self-employment or adverse credit, ask about their experience and success rate with similar cases.
• How will you communicate with me during the process? Understand whether updates will come by phone, email, or through a digital platform, and how often you can expect to hear from them.
• What happens if my application is declined? A good broker should have a plan B and should be able to redirect to an alternative lender without starting the entire process from scratch.

The answers to these questions, combined with your own research and preferences, should give you a clear picture of which broker is the best fit for your remortgage needs. Remember that all three services featured in this guide are legitimate options with their own distinct advantages, and the right choice is the one that aligns with how you prefer to manage your financial decisions.

Whatever service you choose, the most important thing is that you actually remortgage rather than staying on an uncompetitive rate. The difference between a poor rate and a competitive one can be thousands of pounds per year, and all three services can help you move in the right direction.